Robert Redford Dies at 89

Hollywood has lost one of its most enduring icons. Robert Redford, the award-winning actor, director, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, has died at the age of 89. His publicist confirmed that Redford passed away peacefully in his Utah home on Tuesday.

Cause of Death Not Disclosed

Cindi Berger, chief executive of Rogers & Cowan PMK, said in a statement that Redford “died in his sleep.” While no specific cause has been revealed, his passing has already prompted tributes from across the film industry.

A Six-Decade Career of Influence

Redford’s career spanned more than 60 years, marked by versatility and a dedication to both mainstream and independent cinema. He first rose to stardom in 1969 alongside Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, a role that cemented his image as the charming, tousled-haired antihero. That film also gave its name to the Sundance Institute, the nonprofit he later established to nurture independent filmmakers.

From that breakout performance, Redford went on to star in classics such as The Sting (1973), All the President’s Men (1976), and The Natural (1984). His charisma and understated presence made him one of the most bankable stars of his era.

In the 1980s, Redford transitioned behind the camera, quickly proving himself as a gifted filmmaker. His directorial debut, Ordinary People (1980), won the Academy Award for Best Director, launching a second phase of his career that earned him further acclaim. Over the years, he collected two Oscars, three Golden Globes, and countless other honors, including the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Globes in 1994.

Builder of Sundance and Voice for the Environment

Beyond his filmography, Redford reshaped American cinema by creating the Sundance Film Festival, which grew from modest beginnings into the premier platform for independent filmmakers worldwide. Today, Sundance is considered the heartbeat of indie film, having introduced countless groundbreaking directors and actors to global audiences.

Redford was also a committed environmentalist, using his voice to advocate for the protection of Utah’s landscapes and natural resources. His activism paralleled his artistry—both rooted in a belief that culture and nature should be preserved and passed on.

Personal Life and Legacy

Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, he grew up the son of an accountant. His early life gave little hint of the Hollywood career that would follow, but his charm, intelligence, and artistic drive carried him to international recognition.

Redford was married twice. He wed Lola Van Wagenen in Las Vegas, and the couple had four children. Though they kept their separation private, it became public in 1982 that they had been living apart for years. In 2009, Redford married Sibylle Szaggars, a German artist who had been his partner since the mid-1990s. Together, they shared a home in Sundance, Utah, the community Redford helped build into a hub for art, film, and nature.

Remembering a Hollywood Great

Robert Redford will be remembered not only for his cinematic achievements but also for his vision of a more inclusive film industry and his deep commitment to the environment. Through the Sundance Institute, his impact will continue to shape generations of filmmakers.

For audiences worldwide, he remains the quintessential Hollywood star—an actor of quiet strength, a director of emotional depth, and a man who transformed the landscape of cinema.